Samoan poet accused of murder petitions to reinstate bail application

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Samoan Poet Sia Figiel who is charged with murder in the death of Samoa academic and poet Carolyn Sinavaiana Gabbard made a bail application after previously indicating her intent to enter a guilty plea for the murder charge.

Ms. Figiel reaffirmed her position through her lawyer Unasa Iuni Sapolu when she appeared in the Samoa Supreme Court on Monday (Samoa time). 

The prosecution lawyer from the Attorney General’s Office, Maiavatele Timothy Fesili told the court that after careful consideration they will proceed with all charges including murder. 

In response, the defense said the defendant would maintain her not-guilty plea and wished to reinstate her bail application. 

The prosecution continues to oppose bail for the accused and will now head to a bail hearing to determine her release. 

Justice Fepuleai Ameperosa Roma scheduled the bail hearing for Sept. 9, before Senior Judge Justice Vui Clarence Nelson.

Ms. Figiel has been in custody since the death of Professor Gabbard in May. 

Two weeks ago through her lawyer she decided to drop the bail application filed before the court and indicated the possibility of changing her plea. 

The Samoa Observer reports it is understood that the defense wanted a plea bargain from the prosecution to drop the murder charge and they would reconsider their plea for the lower charge of manslaughter. 

Meanwhile, the court has already scheduled the substantive hearing for March next year. 

It is not clear what happened to the psychiatric assessment that Ms. Figiel applied for and the progress on that application, according to the Observer.